Sanitary-ergonomic toilet seat lifter

ABSTRACT

A uniquely constructed toilet seat lifter designed to minimize damage to body parts, complicated machinery and expense associated with conventional toilet seat lifters includes a spindle and handle having precise dimensions allowing the handle to rotate about the spindle thereof, a base that is fixed to said spindle and mounted to a toilet seat. Accordingly, structures of the arm are in balance while the device is being used so as to minimize damage to the user. The device is designed to have only one moving part so as to minimize complication and expense to the individual.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a uniquely configuredsanitary-ergonomic toilet seat lifter, particularly suitable fortoddlers to the elderly, especially those with joint, ligament andmuscle limitations; that is specifically designed to eliminate contactwith dangerous microbes, minimize damage to body parts, and beinexpensive to purchase and operate, unlike conventional seat lifters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Conventional seat lifters are typically manufactured as part of thetoilet itself, it is usually operated by complicated electronics havingmultiple moving parts or can also be made as a one piece add-on device.

Such apparatuses and devices however, have several disadvantages. Theyare expensive to purchase resulting in few people being able to affordthem. In addition specialized electronics, like pedals, pumps, hoses,actuators and air compressors, require a highly trained technicalspecialist to maintain and repair. Accordingly, while out of service dueto a malfunction the individual is more at risk of contracting diseaseby having to touch the seat. Turning to the one piece device, its handlebeing fixed in one position, forces the parts of the arm to overextendand twist resulting in pain and damage to parts of the arm necessary tolift a seat. Further, each of the previously stated disadvantagesdiscourage many individuals from purchasing and using toilet seatlifters thereby resulting in increased frequency of bacterial infectionand preventable damage to the body. The present invention overcomes thepreviously stated disadvantages of conventional seat lifters byproviding a device that is designed to protect the body but is notexpensive to acquire, operate or maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toilet seat lifter for individuals,especially those with physical limitations who want to avoid damage tothe hand, arm, shoulder and supporting structures. The device comprisesa spindle and base including a handle that is able to rotate 360 degreesaround the spindle, and is mounted to the bottom side of a toilet seat.The handle is dimensioned to fit the spindle precisely so that it doesnot bind. Accordingly, when in use the individual's arm and componentparts remain in equilibrium minimizing pain and further damage. It istherefore an object of the present invention to provide a seat lifterthat is comfortable to use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a seat lifterthat minimizes damage to the joints and other component parts of thearm.

Additionally it is another object of the present invention to provide aseat lifter that protects the user from dangerous microbes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a seat lifterthat is inexpensive to manufacture and purchase.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a toiletseat lifter that can be adapted to toilets already in use.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide atoilet seat lifter that is low tech and has only one moving part.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the seat lifter with its component parts.

FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the present invention indicating the 360degree rotation of the handle around the spindle.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a toilet seat with the embodiment mountedthereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention relates to anergonomic-sanitary toilet seat lifter specifically designed to beattached to the bottom side of a toilet seat which is typically round oroblong in shape and flat on its underside 5.

The seat lifter according to the present invention includes a handle 1specifically molded to incorporate a hole through its center having adiameter slightly larger than the circumference of the spindle 2, whichis inserted through the prepared opening in the handle 1. Thisconfiguration allows the handle 1 to rotate 360 degrees about thespindle 2, thereby minimizing discomfort and damage to the user.

When properly attached with adhesive by its base 4 it can be seen thatthe present invention is able to protect the user against infection bydangerous microbes.

The above described device is preferably constructed with a resilientconformable thermoplastic material such as that manufactured under thetrademark CABOL™ or any other similar equivalent. Once a mold is madeaccording to the present invention reproductions may be producedinexpensively according thereto and according to the details ofconstruction enumerated above. When the toilet seat lifter is formedaccording to the present invention, a smooth flat surface is formed onthe base that subsequently is fixed to the bottom side of the toiletseat.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed thescope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention isonly to be limited by the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A seat lifter for securing to the bottom side of a toiletseat, the toilet seat having a flat underside, said seat liftercomprising: A spindle molded to conform to and attach to the bottom sideof a toilet seat; A handle molded to conform to and surround saidspindle so as to allow 360 degrees rotation about said spindle, so as tominimize discomfort and damage to the user's joints and keeping theuser's hand out of contact with dangerous microbes.
 2. A seat lifteraccording to claim 1 wherein said invention has only one moving part, soas to make it inexpensive to manufacture and purchase.
 3. A seat lifteraccording to claim 2 wherein said invention is adaptable to toiletsalready in use.
 4. A seat lifter according to claim 3 wherein the deviceis low tech and not complicated to operate and repair.